Crispy and Delicious Cucumber Salad Recipe
Crispy and Delicious Cucumber Salad Recipe
Simple and Flavorful Seasoned Cucumber Salad
My eldest child asked for stuffed cucumbers, so instead of the hassle, I prepared this easy and delicious seasoned cucumber salad by simply slicing them. The crispy texture combined with the sweet and tangy seasoning is perfect as a side dish for rice when you have a poor appetite, or even as a snack with drinks! I’ll guide you through it step-by-step so even beginners can easily follow.
Main Ingredients- 1 fresh cucumber
- A small amount of chives
Sweet and Spicy Seasoning- 1/2 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting cucumbers)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting cucumbers)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water and slice it into bite-sized pieces (about 0.7cm thick, diagonally sliced or half-moon shaped). Sprinkle 1/2 Tbsp of coarse sea salt over the sliced cucumbers, mix well, and let them salt for about 40 minutes. Once the cucumbers become pliable, place them in a colander to drain the water completely. This step is key to achieving a crispy texture.
Step 2
While the cucumbers are salting, prepare the chives for a fragrant touch. Wash the chives clean, pat them dry, and then cut them to a similar length as the salted cucumbers. If they are too long, they can be difficult to eat, so cut them into manageable pieces.
Step 3
While the cucumbers are draining, it’s a good time to prepare the seasoning ingredients, which are the heart of this delicious cucumber salad. In a small bowl, combine the red pepper flakes, fish sauce (or soy sauce), minced garlic, and sugar.
Step 4
Stir the prepared seasoning ingredients with a spoon until well combined and the seasoning paste is smooth, without any clumps. Preparing the seasoning in advance makes it much easier to mix with the cucumbers and chives later.
Step 5
Now, add the well-drained cucumbers to the prepared seasoning. Don’t discard the moisture that came out while salting the cucumbers; mixing it in will help the seasoning penetrate better, resulting in a moist and flavorful salad.
Step 6
Add the prepared chives and gently toss with your hands. It’s important to mix lightly, tossing to ensure the seasoning coats the cucumbers and chives evenly. Be careful not to over-mix or mash the cucumbers, as they can become mushy. Your sweet, tangy, and crispy cucumber salad is now ready! It’s delicious right away, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a while for an even cooler treat.
